We’ve been there too, for more than 40 years. And somewhere along the way, we started asking a simple question: how much of that money actually reaches the kids?

The hidden cost of selling products

When your group sells a product, the money you collect isn’t all yours. Before your team sees a dime, it has to cover:

• The product itself: the candy, dough, popcorn or wrapping paper
• Shipping and handling to get it to you
• The fundraising company’s profit, because running fundraisers is their business

What’s left after all that is what your team keeps. Depending on the company and the product, that can be a surprisingly small share of what your supporters paid.

Here’s an easy test: before you sign up for any product fundraiser, ask the company, “Out of every $20 sold, exactly how much does our group keep?” If the answer makes you wince, you’re not alone.

The hidden cost of time and safety

Money isn’t the only cost. Product fundraisers also come with:

• Kids going door to door or standing outside stores asking strangers for money, which many parents are no longer comfortable with
• Parents chasing payments, tracking orders and handling cash
• Delivery day: sorting boxes, matching orders and driving all over town
• Trips to the bank and someone stuck doing the accounting

That’s a lot of work for a fraction of the money.

How online fundraising is different

With online fundraising, there’s no product in the middle. Your supporters give directly to your cause, from anywhere, in about a minute.

At Achieve Our Goals, here’s how it works:

• 100% of what you raise goes to your cause. A small amount (under 5%) is added at checkout to cover card processing and running the site, and your donors cover it, not your team.
• Nothing to sell, deliver or collect. You share one link by text, email or social media.
• Kids stay safe. No door-to-door, no standing outside the supermarket.
• Supporters can cheer you on. Every donor can leave a shout-out your kids will see right on the page.
• One check at the end, mailed to your coach, booster club or coordinator, with a full accounting of every donation.

A different kind of giving

Here’s the part we love most. When Grandma buys a tub of popcorn, most of her money goes to the popcorn. When she gives online, all of her gift goes to her grandchild’s team, and she gets to send a message of encouragement along with it.

Same generosity, a lot more impact.

Ready to ditch the candy bar sale?

Tell us about your team, school, club or cause, and we’ll build your fundraising page for you, usually the same day. It’s free to organizers.

Start a Fundraiser →

Here’s the good news. You don’t have to be a salesperson. The people in your life want to help. They just need to know about it, and they need it to be easy. Here are five simple ways to make that happen.

1. Send personal texts, not just a group post

A single post to everyone is easy to scroll past. A personal text to Grandma, your neighbor or your co-worker is hard to ignore, in a good way.

Keep it short and warm:

“Hi Aunt Linda! Penny’s soccer team is raising money for tournament fees this season. If you’d like to help, here’s her page: [link]. Even a small gift means a lot to her. Thank you! ❤️”

Copy, paste, change the name, send. Ten personal texts often bring in more than one big announcement.

2. Post it with a photo and a short story

When you share on Facebook, Instagram or your team’s group chat, lead with a photo and one or two sentences about why it matters. People give to people, not to links.

“Sabrina has worked so hard for this. She’s been invited to play in a national tournament, and we’re raising money to help her get there. Every bit helps!”

Then add your link. If you can, pin the post to the top of your page so it stays visible.

3. Ask your inner circle to share it

Your biggest supporters, like grandparents, aunts, uncles and close friends, have their own circles of friends, co-workers and church families. When they share your link, your campaign reaches people you’d never reach on your own.

Don’t be shy about asking: “Would you mind sharing this with your friends too?” Most people are happy to.

4. Post updates and say thank you

A fundraiser isn’t a one-time post. Share quick updates as you go:

• “We’re halfway there! Thank you to everyone who’s given so far!”
• “Just $300 to go!”
• “Final weekend, can you help us finish strong?”

And thank your donors, publicly when it’s appropriate. On Achieve Our Goals, supporters can leave shout-outs that appear right on your page. Share a few of your favorites. Nothing inspires the next donation like seeing the love from the last one.

5. Put your link everywhere

Make your link easy to find:

• Your team or club group chat
• Your email signature
• Your church or school newsletter
• A printed flyer with a QR code at games, practices or events

The easier it is to find, the more people will give.

The bottom line

The most successful fundraisers aren’t the ones with the biggest goals. They’re the ones that get shared. Personal texts, a good photo, a few updates and a heartfelt thank-you go a long way.

And remember, 100% of what you raise goes to your cause. Your supporters can feel good knowing every dollar counts.

Ready to start your own fundraiser? Tell us about your cause, and we’ll build your page for you, usually the same day. Start a Fundraiser →

The Financial Strain of High School Basketball Programs
1. The Cost of Running a Program Maintaining a high school basketball program involves various expenses. From uniforms and equipment to travel expenses and facility maintenance, the costs can quickly add up. For many schools, especially those in underfunded districts, these expenses are often not fully covered by the school’s budget. This creates a substantial gap that needs to be filled through fundraising efforts.

2. The Burden on Parents Parents play a crucial role in supporting their child’s athletic pursuits, often covering a significant portion of the costs associated with the basketball program. This might include paying for travel, purchasing additional gear, and contributing to fundraising events. For many families, these costs can strain their finances, adding pressure and stress to their already busy lives.

3. The Importance of Fundraising Fundraising is essential to the success and sustainability of high school basketball programs. Events like car washes, bake sales, and sponsorship drives are common, but they can be time-consuming and may not always yield the desired results. Effective fundraising is crucial not only for covering costs but also for ensuring that students have the resources they need to excel both on and off the court.

How Achieve Our Goals Can Help
Amid these challenges, Achieve Our Goals offers a powerful, user-friendly solution for high school basketball teams looking to raise funds efficiently and effectively. Here’s how this innovative platform can make a difference:

1. Streamlined Fundraising Process Achieve Our Goals simplifies the fundraising process by providing an easy-to-use online platform. Teams can set up campaigns quickly and share them with their community and beyond. This eliminates the need for physical events and allows for a more organized approach to collecting donations.

2. Direct Donations With Achieve Our Goals, donors can contribute directly to the fundraising campaign online. This not only makes it more convenient for supporters but also increases the likelihood of receiving donations from a broader audience. Parents, alumni, and community members can contribute from anywhere, at any time.

3. Transparent and Secure The platform offers transparent tracking of funds and ensures secure transactions. This builds trust with donors and allows fundraisers to monitor progress in real-time. Knowing where the funds are coming from and how they are being used is crucial for maintaining credibility and motivating supporters.

4. Campaign Completion Achieve Our Goals also simplifies the process of collecting funds. Upon completion of a campaign, funds are collected and transferred efficiently, allowing teams to access the money they need without unnecessary delays or complications.

Why Choose Achieve Our Goals?
If you’re part of a high school basketball team or a parent supporting one, consider how Achieve Our Goals can help you meet your fundraising needs. The platform’s ease of use, broad reach, and secure transactions make it an ideal choice for raising funds for any sports program.

For more information and to start your fundraising campaign, visit Achieve Our Goals.

Customer Feedback

Here’s what some users have to say about their experience with Achieve Our Goals:

Michael L., Basketball Coach: “Achieve Our Goals made fundraising for our high school basketball team incredibly straightforward. We reached our goal faster than we anticipated and didn’t have to deal with the stress of traditional fundraising events. The platform’s ease of use and secure transactions were a huge plus!”

Sarah P., Parent and Fundraising Chair: “As a parent, I was worried about how we would fund our team’s needs this season. Achieve Our Goals provided a simple solution that allowed us to reach out to the wider community and collect donations efficiently. It’s a game-changer for our fundraising efforts!”

Tom J., Athletic Director: “The success of our basketball program depends heavily on effective fundraising. Achieve Our Goals has provided a reliable and transparent way to raise the necessary funds. The process was smooth, and the support team was fantastic. Highly recommended for any school program!”

Conclusion
High school basketball programs are vital to the development and well-being of student-athletes, but the financial challenges associated with these programs can be daunting. By leveraging modern fundraising solutions like Achieve Our Goals, teams can overcome these obstacles and focus on what matters most—supporting their players and achieving success on the court. Visit Achieve Our Goals today to discover how you can streamline your fundraising efforts and make a lasting impact on your high school basketball program.